Thursday, 12/31, is Deadline to Apply for “2008 Tax Year” Property Tax & Rent Rebates

Harrisburg, PA – December 29, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Senator Michael A. O’Pake (D-Berks) today reminded eligible older adults and people with disabilities that they only have until Thursday, December 31, to apply for “2008 tax year” rebates under the state’s Property Tax and Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program.

While the latest data shows that some 18,000 qualifying Berks County seniors have filed the necessary paperwork and have received rebates totaling more than $8 million, the Department of Revenue estimates that there are still eligible citizens who have not applied, Senator O’Pake said.

The rebate program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians age 65 and older; widows and widowers age 50 and older; and people with disabilities age 18 and older.  A 2006 program expansion increased the income limit for homeowners from $15,000 to $35,000 (which excludes half of Social Security income) and raised the maximum standard rebate for homeowners and renters from $500 to $650.  The income limit for renters is $15,000 (with one half of Social Security excluded from the income calculation).

Downloadable “2008 tax year” PTRR applications are available through the following link

The “2008 tax year” PTRR applications must be postmarked by Thursday, December 31, in order to be considered, Senator O’Pake said.

New PTRR applications for the “2009 tax year” won’t be available until February, 2010.  If you received a rebate this year, the Senator added, you will automatically receive the “2009 tax year” PTRR application in the mail when those applications become available.